Work continues to restore power after storms

Engineers are working to restore electricity to households tonight after stormy weather damaged power lines across the country…

Engineers are working to restore electricity to households tonight after stormy weather damaged power lines across the country.

The ESB said it hopes to restore power to all homes by this evening.

Though electricity was restored to 3,000 houses in the west and north earlier, another 3,000 were affected in Letterkenny, Donegal town and Co Sligo.

Meanwhile about 6,300 customers were without electricity in the Northern Ireland today.

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Counties Antrim and Tyrone have reported gales of up to 60 miles an hour today, and a number of roads were closed off because of storm damage. Air travel and ferries were also affected.

In Co Donegal, more than 1,000 homes lost power while repair work was also carried out in the Carrick-on-Shannon area of Leitrim, the Ballinrobe area of Co Mayo and the Loughrea and Gort areas of Co Galway.

An ESB spokesman said: "Since early morning ESB crews have been dispatched and are working on restoring power. We would also warn people if anyone notices fallen lines to steer well clear of them and contact us immediately".

Falling trees caused traffic problems on some roads but there has been little structural damage.

Strong winds have been forecast for later tonight raising fears of further damage.

Additional reporting PA